What if his 107-year-old relative, the nation's last surviving World War I veteran, died before he could persuade officials to grant him a spot at Arlington National Cemetery?

Buckles couldn't take no for an answer. He pestered U.S. senators, celebrities who have advocated for veterans, even former presidential candidate Ross Perot. After all, other nations have honored their last WWI veterans.

Cpl. Frank Woodruff Buckles was a driver and guard in the U.S. Army during World War I. He lied about his age to get into the service at 16 and served in England, France and Germany.

He had a civilian job in Manila when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and spent three years in an internment camp for helping to smuggle supplies to U.S. troops.

Three weeks ago, Ken Buckles' work paid off.

Arlington, which expects to run out of space by 2060, limits burials to recipients of the Purple Heart, soldiers killed in action, former presidents and 10 other categories, according to cemetery Superintendent John Metzler.

In March, President Bush waived the requirements after years of lobbying by Ken Buckles, who also is executive director of Oregon's Remembering America's Heroes. The nonprofit has organized Living History Day at Milwaukie High School for 13 years to recognize veterans.

Upon his death, Frank Buckles will be buried at Arlington, attended by a military chaplain and a casket team of six people who will carry the remains. Seven riflemen will fire shots and a bugler from the U.S. Army band will play taps.

Ken Buckles said he started making calls after hearing that other countries were honoring their last surviving World War I veterans. Last fall, he traveled to the Arlington funeral of Tuskegee Airman Richard Macon, who had participated in Living History Day for years. He met with cemetery officials, who said no exception would be granted.

Then, he asked Perot for help. The two had met when they both won a 2000 national award honoring military supporters. Perot appeared at a Remembering America's Heroes event in 2001.

Perot says he contacted the White House. Two days later, the decision came through.
Perot downplayed his role.

"Anybody that understands war and being a prisoner of war and what the prisoners of Japan went through during the war, that gets their attention," Perot said. "That is a tremendous sacrifice to your country right there."

Frank Buckles was not available for comment Wednesday. At 107, he does sit-ups every day and lifts weights three times a week, Ken Buckles said.

"His memory is sharper than you and me put together," he said, something Bush echoed when he met the veteran last month at the White House.

Ken Buckles did not grow up knowing his "Uncle Frank," officially a cousin, six times removed. They met in the early 1990s, when Ken Buckles was researching family history.

Buckles says he didn't want to give up his quest, even after being told it was hopeless.

"It's so awesome for Frank, because I feel he's a real American hero," he says. "Our country should do something special for the last World War I veteran, and again for our last World War II veteran. I'm very proud."